Inside the Beltway: Cheer up: Countdown is on for CPAC

Jennifer Harper The Washington TimesFebruary 6, 2019

A cheerful heads-up for conservatives weary of partisan division and hostile news media. The Conservative Political Action Conference CPAC begins exactly three weeks from Wednesday, complete with the robust speeches and rousing patriotism that conservatives need and thrive on. This will be CPAC No. 45, by the way, and its theme is “What Makes America Great.”

Once again, this bodacious event will be staged at National Harbor, a glittering resort seven miles south of the nation’s capital on the banks of the Potomac River.

“The four-day conference begins with Activism Boot Camp, an unparalleled initiative that brings together the finest conservative organizations involved in activism training and campaign management. The remaining three days of the conference unite the political leaders of the conservative movement with the people who make up the movement. As President Ronald Reagan said in 1985, ‘CPAC is the opportunity to dance with the one who brung ya.’ The powerful combination of knowledge and activism is critical for the advancement of conservatism,” the organizers advise.

The ever-expanding speakers’ roster includes such notable Republican lawmakers as Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming and Reps. Matt Gaetz of Florida and Jim Banks of Indiana. Big thinkers include Mark Levin, Michelle Malkin, Andrew McCarthy and Gordon Chang. Investigative stalwarts Tom Fitton, James O’Keefe and Sara Carter are in the mix, along with Kay Coles James, president of the Heritage Foundation. And speaking of stalwarts, American Conservative Union Chairman Matt Schlapp, of course, will be a guiding presence throughout.

Track the developments and updates as they arrive at CPAC.org.

CLIMATE ALARMS IN THE FORECAST?

Two federal agencies which track global temperature and climate change are poised to make a big announcement on Wednesday. Climate experts from NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will reveal new global temperature data and “climate trends of 2018.”

They have not yet revealed the findings but a sampling of the reports the two agencies have released in the last month might suggest what’s in store.

The national Libertarian Party also had a State of the Union address, delivered online Tuesday by Jeff Hewitt, a Libertarian elected in November to the Riverside County Board of Supervisors in California.

“The Constitution requires that the president shall from time to time give to Congress information of the State of the Union. This is one of the simplest and least controversial provisions in the document. But surprise. Republicans and Democrats struggle to agree even on that. The Libertarian Party is happy to pick up where the old parties fail, so we thought it would be fitting to offer some information you won’t hear in the torrent of doom and gloom from our nation’s capital,” Mr. Hewitt advised.

Curious about voter sentiment about a third party? See today’s Poll du Jour at column’s end.

A WEIGHTY EVENT INDEED

They will talk of many things, at a most august occasion.

The Article I Initiative and the Georgetown Law Student Chapter of the Federalist Society will host the first Legislative Branch Review Conference on Wednesday on Capitol Hill, starring a host of current and former members of Congress, policy analysts and academics. Among the speakers: Sen. Lindsey Graham, South Carolina Republicans, and GOP Reps. Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin, Steve Womack of Arkansas and Rob Woodall of Georgia.

Among the topics: “Can the other branches help restore Congress?: Bipartisanship and high-profile congressional oversight.” A convivial reception follows.

Yes, C-SPAN will be here. Tune in for coverage with a particular focus on Mr. Graham, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, on C-SPAN3, C-SPAN Radio and C-SPAN.org beginning at 2:35 p.m. EST.

FOXIFIED

Fox News Channel remains the No. 1 cable network, besting MSNBC, HGTV, USA Network, Investigation Discovery and all the rest, according to Nielsen Media Research. Fox News also broadcast 16 of the top cable shows last week, led by ’Tucker Carlson Tonight,” ’Hannity,” “The Five,” “Special Report with Bret Baier” and “The Ingraham Angle.” Fox News garnered 2.2 million prime-time viewers, with MSNBC in second place with 1.8 million, and HGTV with 1.3 million.

According to Nielsen, Fox Business Network continues to outpace rival CNBC, highlighted by “Varney Co” now marking 89 consecutive weeks as the most-watched opening market program on television. “Lou Dobbs Tonight” also marked 49 weeks dominating the ratings in its early evening time slot.

POLL DU JOUR

50 percent of U.S. voters say a third party “is needed”; 45 percent of Republicans, 63 percent of independents and 45 percent of Democrats agree.

46 percent say it’s not likely they would vote for a third-party candidate; 59 percent of Republicans, 25 percent of independents and 53 percent of Democrats agree.

35 percent say they would likely vote for a third-party candidate; 25 percent of Republicans, 49 percent of independents and 30 percent of Democrats agree.

22 percent say the Republican and Democratic parties do an “adequate job” of representing the American people; 26 percent of Republicans, 9 percent of independents and 31 percent of Democrats agree.

19 percent are undecided if they would vote for a third-party hopeful; 16 percent of Republicans, 26 percent of independents and 17 percent of Democrats agree.